The hymen... This small part surrounding your body is truly a mystery. Is it a symbol of virginity? In some cultures, does it really hold such great significance? Let's dispel some myths and uncover the true nature of the hymen!

myth

The god of marriage in Greek mythology is Xiumen. This myth tells the story of a young and handsome man who saved a group of women from danger. In return, he married a girl he had a crush on, and they lived a happy life from then on.

What is the hymen?

The hymen is a membrane located at the vaginal opening. During the early stage of the fetus (when the fetus is still in the womb), the vagina initially forms a solid tubular structure. Over time, the vagina gradually develops into an empty tubular structure, with a layer of membrane at its lower end, known as the hymen. This membrane may rupture within the first few days after birth. This membrane wraps around the vagina and has one or more small openings, partially covering the vaginal opening. Some girls are born without a hymen.

So far, researchers have not discovered any definite functions of the hymen.

Types of hymen

The hymen on the external genitalia does not have a fixed shape. Depending on the coverage area of the vaginal opening, the hymen can take on various forms, such as the ring-shaped hymen, the sieve-shaped hymen, the closed hymen, and so on.

As adolescence begins, the hymen thickens and becomes more elastic. Over time, due to hormonal changes such as pregnancy, childbirth, aging and menopause, the hymen undergoes further alterations.

Dispelling myths

Misconception 1: The hymen completely covers the vaginal opening. Wrong!

The hymen only partially covers the vaginal opening. If it completely covered the vaginal opening, menstruation would not occur.

Exception: There is a rare congenital defect called hymenal atresia, where the hymen completely covers the vagina. This condition is usually diagnosed during a teenager's first menstruation, when a large amount of blood accumulates in the vagina and uterus. It can be treated by surgically cutting the hymen.

Misconception 2: Whether the hymen exists or not can determine whether a person has had sexual intercourse. Wrong!

The presence of the hymen has nothing to do with previous sexual intercourse. There are many reasons for the rupture of the hymen, such as exercise, menstrual products and finger insertion, as well as surgery.

Myth 3: If a virgin bleeds during her first sexual intercourse, it means her hymen has ruptured. Wrong!

The hymen has very few blood vessels. Even if it is torn, it will not bleed profusely. Bleeding could be caused by lack of lubrication and forced insertion. Studies have shown that during the first penetration sexual intercourse, bleeding is often not observed.

Myth 4: The examination of the hymen in the vagina can determine whether one has suffered from sexual assault. Wrong!

Without other evidence, merely observing the appearance of the hymen cannot lead to any medical conclusion. Hymen damage usually heals quickly and does not leave any traces of recent injury. Some studies on survivors of sexual assault have shown that the hymen does not always leave marks of injury due to forced insertion.